Metro Detroit Special Election 2024: Everything You Need To Know

METRO DETROIT — There are two special elections in metro Detroit on Tuesday, April 16 to fill two vacant Michigan House of Representatives seats.

The special election is necessary after former state Rep. Kevin Coleman, D-Westland, and Rep. Lori Stone, D-Warren, won local mayoral elections in last November's general elections.

Democrat Mai Xiong, of Warren, will face Republican Ronald Singer, of Warren, to represent state district 13, which includes Warren and parts of east Detroit.

Xiong, a Macomb County commissioner, cruised to easy victory by winning 79 percent of the vote in January's primary. She has amassed numerous endorsements, including that of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Singer also cruised to an easy primary victory, winning 63 percent of the overall vote in January's primary.

Democrat Peter Herzberg, of Westland, will face Republican Josh Powell, of Westland, to represent state district 25, which includes Wayne, most of Westland, and some parts of Dearborn Heights and Canton Township.

Herzberg narrowly defeated Andrea Rutkowski, Layla Taha, Melandie Yvonne Hines and Shannon Rochon in January's primary, capturing 37 percent of the vote.

Powell, on the other hand, ran opposed for the Republican nomination.

After Coleman and Stone stepped down last year, the Michigan House has been deadlocked at 54, though legislative rules allow the Democrats to retain control.

The winner of the special election will serve in Lansing through the remainder of each candidate's term, which goes through the end of this year. In Michigan, state representatives serve two-year terms and earn $71,685 annually.

Polls in those areas will open at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. for those looking to vote in-person. You can see your polling place on the state's voter information website.

Anyone looking to register to vote on Tuesday must do so in-person at your local clerk's office by 8 p.m. Anyone who needs help registering to vote can call the state department at 1-888-SOS-MICH (888-767-6424).